Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Picric
Pi′cric
,Adj.
[Gr. [GREEK] bitter.]
(Chem.)
Pertaining to, or designating, a strong organic acid (called picric acid), intensely bitter.
☞ Picric acid is obtained by treating phenol with strong nitric acid, as a brilliant yellow crystalline substance,
C6H2(NO2)3.OH
. It is used in dyeing silk and wool, and also in the manufacture of explosives, as it is very unstable when heated. Called also trinitrophenol
, and formerly carbazotic acid
.